Toothbrush with a Toothpaste Dispenser

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a toothbrush with a built-in toothpaste dispenser. In one embodiment, the toothbrush includes a tubular body portion having a first end and a second end. The first end includes a toothbrush head having openings that are in fluid communication with a reservoir disposed within the body portion, wherein the reservoir is adapted to store toothpaste therein. The second end includes a dispensing mechanism having a piston that extends into the reservoir. The piston is connected to a piston rod, which is adapted to drive towards the first end of the body portion when rotatably engaged via a knob. In this way, the piston can be operated move the toothpaste through the reservoir and toward the toothbrush head.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/913,519 filed on Dec. 9, 2013. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to toothbrushes. More specifically, the present invention pertains to an improved toothbrush with a toothpaste dispenser integrated therein. In one embodiment, the toothbrush comprises a hollow body portion having a reservoir for holding toothpaste therein, wherein the toothpaste can be dispensed via a dispensing mechanism when it is rotatably engaged.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A toothbrush is the most basic essential item of all the oral hygiene aids. Thus, many individuals carry a toothbrush during their daily activities and while they travel because having a toothbrush can help individuals maintain the same oral hygiene routine. Toothpaste is commonly used in conjunction with a toothbrush to increase the effectiveness of tooth brushing. Carrying a toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste separately, however, can be inconvenient.

For instance, the packaging for the toothpaste can be too bulky and unable to fit within a toiletry bag. Some packaging for the toothpaste can be also too large to be carried on a plane. Additionally, some individuals may forget to bring toothpaste. Thus, individuals may be unable to brush their teeth effectively. Thus, there is a need for a device that allows individuals to carry a toothbrush and toothpaste in a compact and convenient manner.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that claim toothbrushes having pre-filled or refillable bodies. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. Some of these devices disclose disposable toothbrushes that can be pre-filled with toothpaste and that expel the toothpaste from the central cavity onto the bristles via turning a knob at the base of the toothbrush. Other devices disclose disposable toothbrushes having a telescoping head that slides out of the main housing of the toothbrush. These devices, however, do not disclose a toothbrush having means for expelling toothpaste from a reservoir onto the bristles and means for preventing dispensed toothpaste from reentering the reservoir. The foregoing is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art.

Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 5,066,155 to English and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0022576 to Hoyle disclose toothbrushes and toothpaste dispensers comprising a toothbrush having an interior volume for storing toothpaste therein. The interior volume further comprises a drive shaft that spans the length thereof. The drive shaft comprises a piston threadably secured thereto. The piston is adapted to travel along the drive shaft when an end cap on the toothbrush body is rotated. In this way, the piston can move the toothpaste toward the brush head of the toothbrush. While English discloses a toothbrush with an interior volume having a piston and a drive shaft therein for moving the toothpaste, English does not disclose a toothbrush head having one or more openings with a gasket that can automatically open and close.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,466 to Johnson discloses a toothbrush with a refillable toothpaste chamber. The lower end of the toothbrush includes a cap that can be removed to provide access to the chamber. Toothpaste can be dispensed via an actuating knob disposed on the shaft portion of the toothbrush. When pressed down, the actuating knob can allow for the flow of the pressurized contents of the chamber. Thus, Johnson does not disclose a dispensing mechanism that can be rotatably engaged to dispense the toothpaste.

Other devices disclose retractable toothbrushes. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0037408 to Brown discloses a toothbrush with retractable, disposable bristles and a built-in audio/visual reminder system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,144,712 to Hansel discloses a disposable toothbrush having a tubular housing forming a handle and a telescopically slidable brush head carrier mounted in the housing. In this way, the brush head can be enclosed within the housing and protected from external elements when in a stored configuration.

The devices disclosed in the prior art have several known drawbacks. These devices are limited in that they do not provide means for preventing dispensed toothpaste from reentering the interior of the toothbrush. Further, none of the prior art devices disclose a cap for protecting the toothbrush head. The present invention overcomes these limitations by disclosing a toothbrush having a toothbrush head at an end thereof. The toothbrush head comprises one or more openings that are in fluid communication with a reservoir disposed in the interior of the body portion of the toothbrush, wherein the reservoir is adapted to store toothpaste therein. Each of the openings comprises a gasket that spans the entire perimeter thereof. The gasket can open automatically as the toothpaste is dispensed, and then close back into its starting position. Additionally, the present invention discloses a cap that can be removably attached to an end of the toothbrush so as to enclose the toothbrush head therein. In this way, the present invention allows a user to conveniently carry and store the toothbrush when travelling.

It is therefore submitted that the present invention is substantially divergent in design elements from the prior art, and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to toothbrushes having pre-filled or refillable bodies. In this regard, the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of toothbrushes having pre-filled or refillable bodies now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new and improved toothbrush with a toothpaste dispenser wherein the same can be utilized for dispensing toothpaste and brushing teeth.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a toothbrush with a built-in toothpaste dispenser. The toothbrush comprises a body portion having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end comprises a toothbrush head. The toothbrush head may be enclosed within a cap removably attached thereto. The body portion of the toothbrush further comprises a reservoir that can be filled with toothpaste. The body portion of the toothbrush further comprises a dispensing mechanism that is adapted to rotate when engaged.

The dispensing mechanism comprises a piston rod having a piston attached at an end thereof. The piston extends into the reservoir so as to move the toothpaste therein. The piston rod is rotatably secured within a securing rod, which is accessible at the second end of the body portion. As the securing rod is rotated via a knob attached thereto, the piston rod moves towards the toothbrush head, allowing the piston to move the toothpaste. The toothpaste can be dispensed through one or more openings disposed on the toothbrush head. Each opening comprises a gasket therearound, which is adapted to automatically open as the toothpaste is forced out of the opening, and then automatically close as the force is released. In this way, the gaskets prevent the toothpaste from reentering the opening.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a new and improved toothbrush with a toothpaste dispenser that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved toothbrush with a toothpaste dispenser that eliminates the need to carry a toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste separately.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved toothbrush with a toothpaste dispenser that can be stored and transported in a convenient manner while travelling.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved toothbrush with a toothpaste dispenser that allows a user to dispense toothpaste in a controlled manner.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved toothbrush with a toothpaste dispenser wherein the device may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein the numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a cross sectional view of the present invention wherein the piston is in a first position.

FIG. 2 shows another cross sectional view of the present invention wherein the piston is in a second position.

FIG. 3 shows a close up view of the toothbrush head of the present invention wherein the gaskets are sealed.

FIG. 4 shows another close up view of the toothbrush head of the present invention wherein the gaskets are opened.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the present invention with a cap thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

References are made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the toothbrush with a toothpaste dispenser. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used to dispense toothpaste and to brush teeth. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown cross sectional views of the present invention. The present invention comprises a toothbrush 21 having an elongated body portion 25 with a first end 29 and a second end 28. The first end 29 comprises a toothbrush head 24. The second end 28 comprises a dispensing mechanism. In the illustrated embodiment, the body portion 25 comprises a generally circular cross section with a hollow interior. Accordingly, the body portion 25 is substantially tubular in structure. Preferably, the body portion 25 slightly tapers toward the first end 29 thereof so as to reduce bulkiness at the toothbrush head 24. In this way, the toothbrush head 24 can fit easily into the user's mouth when the user is brushing his or her teeth.

The hollow interior of the body portion 25 comprises a reservoir 23 therein. The reservoir 23 is adapted to hold toothpaste or other types of gel dentifrice therein. It is contemplated that the reservoir 23 is pre-filled with the toothpaste so that the toothbrush 21 is ready for use. In other embodiments, however, the toothbrush 21 may comprise a re-sealable opening for allowing the user to fill the reservoir 23 with toothpaste or other types of gel dentifrice of the user's choice. The reservoir 23 is in fluid communication with one or more openings 32 disposed on the toothbrush head 24 via one or more channels 38 that span from the toothbrush head 24 toward the body portion 25. In this way, the toothpaste can be dispensed from the reservoir and through the openings 32 on the toothbrush head 24.

The toothbrush 21 further comprises a dispensing mechanism. The dispensing mechanism comprises a piston rod having an upper end and a lower end. The upper end of the piston rod 34 comprises a piston 33 attached thereto. The piston extends into the reservoir 23 and the piston rod 34 extends toward the second end of the body portion 25. The diameter of the piston 33 is substantially equal to the diameter of the reservoir 23 so that the piston 33 fits closely within the reservoir 23. The piston rod 34 is elongated and comprises threaded elements over the length thereof.

The lower end of the piston rod 34 is secured within a support rod 35. The support rod 35 is substantially cylindrical in shape with a hollow interior, an open upper end, and a lower end. The interior of the support rod 35 comprises threaded elements thereon. In this way, the piston rod 34 is threadably secured within the support rod 35, and the piston rod 34 can move up or down within the support rod 35. The piston rod 34 can move upward towards the toothbrush head 24 until the piston 33 reaches the first end 29 of the body portion 25. Accordingly, the piston rod 34 comprises a sufficient length to allow the user to move the piston 33 to the first end 29 of the body portion 25.

The support rod 35 is rotatably secured within the body portion 25 so that rotating the support rod 35 causes the piston rod 34 and the piston 33 to move through the reservoir 23 toward the toothbrush head 24. The lower end of the support rod 35 comprises a knob 37 thereon. The knob 37 allows the user to grab the support rod 35 in a convenient manner when rotating the same, whereby rotating the support rod 35 allows the user to rotate the dispensing mechanism.

The upper end of the piston rod 34 comprises a stopper 36 that is secured within the interior of the body portion 25. The stopper 36 is secured under the piston 33 so as to prevent the piston 33 and the piston rod 34 from extending out of the second end of the body portion 25. Additionally, the stopper 36 prevents the support rod 35 from moving towards the first end of the body portion 25 while allowing the support rod 35 to rotate in place. The stopper 36 is substantially annular in shape and comprises threaded elements on the interior thereof so as to allow the piston rod 34 to move up and down along the length thereof.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there are shown close up views of the toothbrush head of the present invention. The toothbrush head 24 comprises tightly clustered bristles 30 mounted thereon, and one or more openings 32 thereon. Preferably, the openings 32 comprise one-way openings so that the toothpaste cannot re-enter the reservoir after it has been dispensed. The openings 32 are disposed between the bristles 30 so as to allow the toothpaste to be dispensed between the bristles 30.

Each of the openings 32 comprises gaskets 31 therearound. The gaskets 31 comprise a plurality of rubber flaps that can open and close. It is contemplated that the upward pressure from the toothpaste causes the flaps to automatically open so that the toothpaste can be dispensed; and the release of pressure causes the flaps to automatically close so that the flaps return to their starting position, preventing the toothpaste from reentering the reservoir. While the present invention discloses one-way openings disposed on the toothbrush head 24, the flaps further prevent the toothpaste or suds from entering the openings 32.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a perspective view of the present invention having a cap thereon. The cap 22 comprises a circular cross section with a closed first end and an open second end through which the toothbrush head 24 can be inserted. The diameter of the cross section of the cap 22 is slightly greater than the diameter of the cross section of the body portion 25 so that the cap 22 can be removably secured to the body portion 25 via press fit.

The toothbrush head 24 can be enclosed under a cap 22 so as to protect it while the toothbrush 21 is not in use. Additionally, the cap 22 prevents the toothbrush head 24 from contacting other items if the toothpaste is accidentally discharged from the reservoir 23. In this way, the cap 22 allows the toothbrush 21 to be transported or stored in a convenient manner while travelling.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above descriptions then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specifications are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A toothbrush with a toothpaste dispenser, comprising: a hollow body portion having a first end, a second end, and a reservoir in which a substance may be stored; said first end having a toothbrush head having one or more openings thereon; said second end having a dispensing mechanism; said reservoir in fluid communication with said one or more openings; wherein said substance within said reservoir is dispensed through said one or more openings when said dispensing mechanism is rotatably engaged.
 2. The toothbrush of claim 1, further comprising a cap that can be removably attached to said first end.
 3. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein said substance comprises toothpaste.
 4. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein said dispensing mechanism comprises: a piston rod having a piston attached at an upper end thereof; said piston having a cross section with a diameter; wherein said diameter of said cross section of said piston is substantially equal to a diameter of a cross section of said reservoir such that said piston fits tightly within said reservoir to move said contents; a support rod for threadably securing said piston rod therein; wherein said piston rod can move up and down within said support rod when said support rod is rotatably engaged.
 5. The toothbrush of claim 4, wherein said dispensing mechanism further comprises a knob attached to a lower end of said support rod.
 6. The toothbrush of claim 4, further comprising a stopper disposed between said piston and an upper end of said support rod.
 7. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein each of said one or more openings comprises a gasket therearound.
 8. The toothbrush of claim 7, wherein said gasket comprises a plurality of flaps disposed around a perimeter of each of said one or more openings; said plurality of flaps adapted to automatically open when said contents are dispensed through said one or more openings.
 9. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein each of said one or more openings is a one-way opening to prevent said contents from re-entering said one or more openings. 